Either way, if you feel you want to get on the pedals, then the Aotearoa Bike Challenge is definitely calling you!
The Aotearoa Bike Challenge is a free, fun competition between workplaces to see which can get the most staff to try riding a bike during the month of February.
The challenge is not about who can ride the most kilometres, but about getting as many people as possible to set themselves bike goals and ride for health, happiness and fun – and the Hutt Valley DHB is getting in on the chain reaction of workplaces around the country taking up the challenge.
The great thing about this challenge is, you don’t have to be the most skilled rider out there to give it a go.
Take it from Hutt Valley DHB and Capital & Coast DHB Senior Fleet Planner Jaki Sifflett who only learnt to ride a bike two years ago, when she first took up the Aotearoa Bike Challenge.
“People always say if you learn how to ride a bike as a child you never forget … yeah nah you do. In all honesty I could not actually ride a bike the first year so I only learnt to ride a bike two years ago because I had totally forgotten.”
The ‘training wheel phase’ did not deter her from pedalling on however, with Jaki now entering her third year of the challenge while also becoming the Hutt Hospital Aotearoa Bike Challenge champion for 2022 (promotor of the Aotearoa Bike Challenge for Hutt Hospital).
“Being the Transport person for Hutt Hospital I got made to be the champion. Now, I am encouraging others to get on their bikes and have some fun. The idea is to get people out and about on their bikes for the month of February to encourage and promote fitness and fun. It is a great way to stay fit and it is a great excuse to be outside.”
Jaki said HVDHB was aiming at reaching 7,000kms for the challenge this year.
“Last year we did 6,900kms so I thought this year we can do a little bit better, so hopefully, between us staff at Hutt Hospital, we can cycle all those kilometres this year.”
And if you happen to have a competitive spirit, Jaki said you can challenge other departments within the HVDHB which made it a lot more fun.
If you are saying, “I don’t have a bike”, do not worry, the Hutt Valley DHB has you covered with a range of e-bikes for staff to use. All staff are welcome to use the bikes which all come with helmets and locks.
If you have any questions please contact Jaki at the Transport Office on ext. 9408, or visit her at the end of the orange line on the Community Health Block.
For more information visit: https://www.lovetoride.net/nz?locale=en-GBor the HVDHB page: https://www.lovetoride.net/nz/companies/13919?locale=en-GB
